Sophisti-pop

Sophisti-pop
Stylistic origins	R&B, Smooth jazz, pop, rock, New Wave
Cultural origins	1980s; Great Britain, USA
Typical instruments	saxophone, synthesizer, drums, guitar, bass guitar
(complete list)

Sophisti-pop is a music genre used to describe a certain kind of smooth radio-friendly pop music with a jazz or soul tinge. First appearing in the mid-1980s, its usual reliance on synthesizers was typical for the decade. All in all, sophisti-pop can be considered to share notable elements with smooth jazz, blue-eyed soul and New Wave.

It was subject to criticism at the time, especially from Melody Maker in the United Kingdom, mainly by Simon Reynolds and David Stubbs.

List of sophisti-pop artists

ABC Animal Nightlife Basia Rhian Benson The Blow Monkeys The Blue Nile Breathe The Christians Curiosity Killed the Cat Danny Wilson The Dolphin Brothers Double Everything but the Girl Go West Joe Jackson Johnny Hates Jazz Laid Back

Level 42 Matt Bianco Alison Moyet The Philosopher Kings Prefab Sprout Sade Sa-Fire Scritti Politti Simply Red Spandau Ballet Steely Dan Sting The Style Council Swing Out Sister Waterfront When in Rome

External links

• Sophisti-Pop - Allmusic description of the genre and recommendations